Maybe Chris Root really did get his love of Brazilian music in the womb, as the publicity for this record claims. Wherever it came from, it's real, although his playing is more a sketchy American approximation of the subtle rhythms of samba and bossa nova than the real complex thing. Not that it matters. His songs here, on Mosquitos, have an aura of joy -- often childlike -- that's echoed by the voice of Juju Stulbach (very breathy and seductive) and the keyboard work of {$Jon Marshall Smith...   [ read more ]

CD $16.13

The Mosquitos' second album, Sunshine Barato, is no departure from their first as it is also a sunny, happy, laid-back disc that melds the sweet sounds of Brazilian pop with a simple and direct {indie pop} approach. In simple terms, Astrud or Bebel Gilberto meets Belle & Sebastian or the Pastels. If that sounds like your idea of musical heaven, this is the record for you. It doesn't reach the heights of the best {bossa nova} or {indie pop} but this is probably the best mixture of the two over the course of...   [ read more ]

MP3 $10.49

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With its mix of seductive bossa nova grooves and winsome indie pop, Mosquitos' III will instantly enthrall fans of the group's self-titled 2002 debut and 2004's Sunshine Barato, while surely attracting lots of newcomers to the trio's sun-kissed sound. This time, the arrangements are more sophisticated and dreamily psychedelic, with lots of keyboards and synthesizer touches from programmer-producer Jon Marshall Smith. Gorgeous front-woman and Rio de Janeiro native Juju Stulbach offers the most beguiling voc...   [ read more ]

MP3 $10.49

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